Alex Smith got real paid on Sunday. (USATSI)
On the eve of the 2014 season starting in the coming week, Alex Smith and the Chiefsagreed to a deal that will reportedly pay the quarterback $68 million over four years.
Terez Paylor of the Kansas City Star first reported the deal, which will pay Smith $17 million a year over the next four years.
“It was a priority of ours to get this deal done and keep Alex in a Chiefs uniform long-term,” Chiefs GM John Dorsey said. “Alex is a proven leader on and off the field. He is a special individual with a lot of ability, and we are fortunate to have him here.”
Smith was entering the final year of his contract and set to make $7.5 million in the final year of his deal. Substantial hand-wringing and heated debate's taken place over whether or not Smith is worthy of "franchise quarterback money."
“John and his staff along with Tom and his group have worked hard to get this deal done. They've done a nice job,” Andy Reid said. "Alex is a smart, talented football player that has adapted well to our offensive scheme. He also, obviously, has had a tremendous amount of success as a quarterback in this league. We as a team are very happy to have Alex as our quarterback moving forward."
This deal will certainly put Smith in that zone: $17 million a year would make him the 10th-highest paid quarterback on an average basis (via OverTheCap.com).
But, like, with Andy Dalton's deal, there's some asterisks that are warranted and caveats that apply. Let's see the guaranteed money involved for Smith and the guaranteed money per year -- Dalton makes a ton of money but his average guarantee per year is more "average" than it is "elite."
Especially when you factor in his current salary; he ultimately now makes $76 million over the next five years, which works out to $15.2 million per season.
Smith is a very good quarterback and underwent a renaissance while playing for the 49ers. Colin Kaepernick ultimately took his gig and necessitated a trade to Kansas City, but he's a quality starter who doesn't make mistakes.
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Browns show faith in young backfield, cast off RBs Dion Lewis, Chris Ogbonnaya
Browns running back Ben Tate better do something he has never done over three full seasons: stay healthy. If he doesn't, the only insurance Cleveland has for him are a couple of rookies. That's because the Browns released RBs Dion Lewis and Chris Ogbonnaya on Saturday.Ogbonnaya, who is entering his sixth season, had spent the past three years with the Browns and started 12 games. Lewis is entering his third year and is a typical undersized, change-of-pace runner. But with them gone, third-rounder Terrance West and undrafted free agent Isaiah Crowell are the only two backs currently on the Browns' RB depth chart behind Tate.
Obviously, the team will make a depth add at this position before the season begins. Ogbonnaya isn't special in any area of the game, but he's serviceable in many. He and Lewis should land with other teams soon.Crowell was a top-ranked recruit in 2011 but was dismissed from the University of Georgia after just one season due to a pair of felony charges and a misdemeanor. He played the next two seasons at Alabama State. He is an intriguing dynasty prospect because of his pedigree, but he is buried right now.West posted what can be described only as video-game numbers in his final college season -- 413 carries, 2,509 rushing yards, 41 touchdowns. He scored 86 times in three collegiate seasons. He will enter the year as Tate's direct backup and is a worthy late-round pick considering how often the Browns are expected to run the ball this season (You've seen their receiving corps). Tate is a risk-reward sixth-round pick.
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